Jennings is 6th candidate for Watertown City Council

Stephen A. Jennings, Jefferson Countys public health planner and public information officer, has announced he is running for one of two Watertown City Council seats open this fall.

The field also includes incumbents Teresa R. Macaluso and Jeffrey M. Smith, as well as challengers Rodney J. LaFave, Cody J. Horbacz and Jasmine W. Borreggine. A primary for the nonpartisan seats will be held Sept. 10. The four candidates with the highest vote totals will be in the general election Nov. 5.

Mr. Jennings has spent 18 years with the county Public Health Department. As the former board chairman of Hospice of Jefferson County, he was instrumental in the construction of a new facility on outer Gotham Street. One of his key campaign issues is to keep fluoride in city water.

Though we face many challenges, opportunities for renewal and growth exist more than ever before in previous, modern times, and I believe a new direction in focus and leadership is called for, he wrote in a press release. This is an exciting time to live and work in Watertown.

Mr. Jennings has served on a number of local and state boards. In his press release, he said his priorities would be:

n Ensure that the Mercy complex development project and the Woolworth and Lincoln building renovation projects are completed, and that these projects serve as catalysts to revitalize the citys center.

nEnsure that public and private technology development prospects interested in city investment consider downtown first when weighing startup or expansion.

nEnsure that the city government does all it can to address the growing drug and crime problems occurring in neighborhoods throughout the city.

n Ensure that the municipal water supply remains fluoridated.

n Ensure that city government operations and services remain viable, efficient, effective and cost controlled.

Mr. Jennings is a graduate of the University at Albany and has a master of science degree from Sage College of Albany. He and his wife, Aileen Pinky, have two children, Claire and Peter.

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